Happy Wednesday to all you Tri-County Pest Control fans out there! We’re back at it with another edition of Wacky Pest Wednesday, and this week, we’re covering the brown recluse spider!

The brown recluse spider is a formidable pest, especially for those who are arachnophobic. These critters are active, nocturnal hunters, coming out at night to swallow up small insects, such as crickets and cockroaches. As a result, they spin irregular webs, mainly using them for retreat rather than a way of catching prey.

Brown recluse spiders often keep to themselves, and can be found in any undisturbed area of your home. They love to snuggle up in boxes or piles of paper, especially somewhere where it is warm and moist, such as an attic or basement. With the changing temperatures in our region, you can expect to see more and more of these spiders scurrying around, all in search of shelter before the cold really sets in.

However, what makes these spiders scary (besides their eight legs and menacing appearance) is the fact that they are highly venomous. A bite from a brown recluse can result in severe stinging and pain at the bite site, followed by an open ulcer. Fever is commonly associated with these bites, and medical attention may be required if bitten. Now, the brown recluse only bites a human out of defense, but if you go to move a box in your attic, you may be at risk for an attack by one of these guys.

Just because these critters are scary does not mean that you have to live in fear. By keeping clothes off the floor, and ensuring that your home has no cracks in the siding or window screens, you can keep the brown recluse spiders out.

Be sure to remember, though, that if you are faced with a whole pack of brown recluse spiders, that we are here to help. Simply give us a call, and we will do all that we can to get them out, and to get your family feeling comfortable again.